The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-11-15

houIHIuliy through the DeecneS ana
pines, and old Billy seemed to go
slower and more slowly with every
moment
81 hope he isn't going to fall dead
lame." thought Bell. with a slight
shudder. "Are those really footsteps
behind me, or is it my imagination"
She glanced around. A man wa
coming towards her. his silhouette
darkly outlined against the red bar Of
sunset that seemed to close up the
perspective at the other end Of the
swampy road-coming at brisk run.
She remembered the man with the
pipe; the two half-grown lads who had
stopped to listen to Mrs. Falkner's
high-pitched words; she thought of the
solitary spot, and of the money in her
pocket, and whipped up Old Billy. with
what energy she possessed. But to no
avail. That venerable steed stopped
short, bracing his four legs in four
different directions, and hanging his
head down in q most discOuraging
fashion.
Bell had heard different members of
the jenkins family allude to a char
scteristic possessed by Old Billy at in
convenient times and seasons, but, up
TO this time, she never had known what
"balking" meant
"He won't stir a step-the wretched
beastw she gasped. "Well, if he don't.
must. l won't stay here to be robbed
and murdered"
She sprang lightly out of the wagon,
and with a scared glance behind her at
the pursuing figure. which was GER
tainly gaining on her, fairly took to
her heels. The sound of a shout
reached her ears, but it had only the
effect of accelerating her footsteps,
Stop, indeedr' she thought. "As
Il had any idea of stoppingr'
Bell Barlow had not played number
less games of tennis and tournaments
rf croquet for nothing. Swift and light
~ Atlanta, she fed along, scarcely
pausing to look behind her, until, in
the dew and purple dusk, she bounded
under the monster lilac bushes that
kept guard on each side of Aunt Rhoda
Jenkins garden gate and darted into
the kitchen door.
LA mer said Aunt Rhoda, who,
with her one available wrist. was bak
ing wheat cakes for supper, "this ain't
never you. Miss Bell! What on earth
hev' We done with the horse?"
Here is the money!" cried Bell,
iinging the distended leather bank
book ON the table. al left Billy and
he wagon in the swamp. He-balked.
# that is what you call it, and wouldn't
come a step farther. And there was
horrible tramp chasing me, and, oh, /
have run so fast! But the money is
safe. 1 was too late for banking hours
hut have brought it to YOU"
.'La-mew said Aunt Rhoda.
At tn same moment the clatter Of
wheeIs was heard at the side of the
house. Aunt Rhoda stretched her lean
neck towards the window.
"Why, there's Billy now." said she,
land Mr.. Kennedy drivin' him."
"And a pretty chase I've had after
Miss Barlow" said the young clergy
man, entering the kitchen with a laugh.
She cropped out her samples of en-
',roidery silk and satin ribbon just
after she got into the Swamp Road.
and here I've followed her to the very
door before / could catch her. But
what made you run away from me,
Miss Barlow?"
"W-was it you?" faltered poor
Bell, feeling as if every drop of blood
N her body was turning to fire. 81
thought it was-robbers! And had
Mrs. Jenkins money in my charge.
and the road was so lonely, and"
'.Do / look so much like desper-
ado?" said MFR. Kennedy, surveying
himself with an air of comical depre-
alton. land shouted to you to
rit. too"
I'm very sorry" said Bell, hanging
Iown her head. at was very stupid
IF me-"
But you're not going to cry, Miss
Barlow"
NO." said Bell, Historically, "but
I'm going to laugh. | think"
81 wouldn't do neither one nor the
other" said Mrs. jenkins. "I'd Jest
come in to supper. Thestea is drawed.
and the cakes is baked, now, and
there's some proper good ounce sass
on the table"
Both Mr.. Kennedy and Miss Barlow
took the old DANES good advice.
land / do b'lieve," Aunt Rhoda said
afterwards. ''if it hadn't been for that
race through the Swamp Road, Mr..
never would have been en-
gagged to my city boardcr. For he
had an idea she was cold and naughty,
and she thought he didn't care nothing
oh hnr prt 49,